The Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, S.Si., M.Si., emphasized the importance of reconfiguring the relationship between humans and nature based on scientific knowledge and local wisdom during Majelis Nyala Purnama #9, held at the Makara Art Center UI on Tuesday (January 6, 2026).
Serving as the keynote speaker, Prof. Tito presented his academic study on the dynamics of ecological disasters on the island of Sumatra, which, he argued, cannot be understood merely as natural events, but rather as consequences of environmental degradation and development paradigms that have yet to fully embrace ecological justice.
“Flooding, flash floods, and landslides that continue to increase in Sumatra are manifestations of watershed (river basin) degradation, climate change, and development governance that ignores environmental carrying capacity,” Prof. Tito stated in his scientific paper.
In his presentation, Prof. Tito explained that Indonesia has a very high level of disaster vulnerability due to its geological, geographical, and climatological conditions. However, disaster management to date has been dominated by technocratic approaches and emergency responses, without addressing the root issues of the human–nature relationship.
Through a descriptive–qualitative approach based on literature reviews and case studies, he demonstrated that culture and local wisdom play a strategic role as systems of knowledge as well as time-tested disaster mitigation mechanisms passed down through generations.
“Culture is not merely a social identity, but also a form of knowledge capital that shapes community resilience. Integrating modern disaster science with local wisdom is key to building a sustainable and context-sensitive disaster management system in Indonesia,” he explained.
Prof. Tito also emphasized the importance of using watersheds (river basins) as the primary unit of analysis in understanding ecological disasters, while simultaneously advocating for ecosystem restoration efforts and development policies that prioritize environmental sustainability.
Majelis Nyala Purnama #9 carried the theme “New Year, New Spirit, New Face: Reframing the Relationship Between Humans and Nature,” and was organized by the Directorate of Culture, Universitas Indonesia, in collaboration with Komoenitas Makara and Urban Spiritual Indonesia. The event featured a range of reflective sessions, including cultural orations, academic presentations, and performing arts.
In addition to Prof. Tito, the event also featured the Director of Culture at UI, Dr. Ngatawi Al Zastrouw, architect Yori Antar, the founder of Urban Spiritual Indonesia Dr. Turita Indah Setyani, as well as a number of artists and musicians. However, Prof. Tito’s scientific presentation became one of the main highlights, as it offered an academic perspective that bridged science, culture, and environmental policy.
Through this forum, Prof. Tito expressed his hope that disaster discourse would not be limited to post-disaster response, but would evolve into a collective movement to build a more harmonious, just, and sustainable relationship between humans and nature in the future.
